Communication apparatus and communication method

Abstract

A communication apparatus includes a user signal transmission unit that transmits a user signal required for an end user to perform communication; a manager function implementing unit that implements a function provided to a manager of the present apparatus; a license monitoring unit that monitors a license of the present apparatus, and outputs a function limitation signal when the license has expired; and a function limitation unit that limits the function implemented by the manager function implementing unit when receiving the function limitation signal. In a communication apparatus that transmits a user signal required for an end user to perform communication, a function of the apparatus is limited when a relevant license has expired, while preventing an influence of the limitation upon the end user.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a transmitter configured to transmit a signal; 
 a receiver configured to receive first information comprising license information related to functions of the apparatus; 
 a hardware monitor configured to monitor whether or not the license has expired; and 
 a controller configured to control settings of the transmitter, 
 wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the signal when the license has expired, and 
 wherein the controller is further configured to limit control of the settings of the transmitter when the license has expired. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to indicate expiration of the license when the license has expired. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the expiration of the license is indicated by letters, images or voices. 
     
     
       4. A method for controlling an apparatus comprising:
 transmitting a signal; 
 receiving first information comprising license information related to functions of the apparatus; 
 monitoring whether or not the license has expired; 
 controlling settings of the transmitting; and 
 limiting control of the settings of the transmitting when the license has expired, 
 wherein the transmitting the signal is performed when the license has expired. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising indicating expiration of the license when the license has expired. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the expiration of the license is indicated by letters, images or voices.